Fire extinguisher



Aug. 22, 1933. H.'L. PARRISH FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Sept. 3, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l 3 nnentor Aug. 22, 1933. H, PARRISH FIRE EXTINGUISHEH Filed Sept. 3, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 men or Harglfie Ernie/1,

ZZMQM (Ittomeg Patented Aug. 22, 1933 UNEED STATES PATENT OFFICE FIRE EXTINGUISHER Harry Lee Parrish, Nashville, Tenn.

Application September 3, 1932. Serial No. 631,696

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic fire extinguisher.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a fire extinguisher which is automatically operated by a thermo element upon the latter becoming heated, thereby providing for the operation of the fire extinguisher at any desired temperature.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fire extinguisher embodying a releasable supporting means for a grenade containing a fire extinguishing chemical, such means operating when released to dash the grenade against a rigid obstruction to burst the grenade and release the contents thereof, and further operating to release a normally latched escapement mechanism for sounding an alarm.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a fire extinguisher of the character aforesaid which is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which is so constructed and arranged that the parts thereof will be substantially free from deterioration during long periods of inactivity. V

A fire extinguisher in accordance with this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the fire extinguisher.

Figure 2 is a central, vertical section therethrough.

Figure 3 is a perspective thereof.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of the grenade supporting means.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a base plate preferably elongated in shape and adapted to be secured in an upright position to a wall or the like. Projecting from the forward face of the base plate, substantially midway between its ends, are a pair of opposed ears 2 which preferably constitute the end portions of a U- shaped bracket.

Pivotaily supported by the ears2 are a pair of supporting arms 3 for a grenade 4 adapted to mit swinging movement thereof toward and from the arm having the right angularly extending ears 2.

portion 5. The outer ends of the arms 3 are formed into loops or rings 6 which are adapted to embrace the grenade i on opposite sides thereof to hold the grenade between the loops, the latter being yieldingly urged toward each other by means of a tension element such as a coil spring 7 extending between and having its ends secured to the respective arms 3. The spring '7 extends through a rigid, tubular housing 8.

. The 3 normally are maintained in a sub- 5 stantially upright position as shown in full lines in Figures 2 and 3 by means of a lug 9 on the extensiond'such lug bearing against an end face of a trigger member 10. The trigger member 19 is pivotally connected with the base plate 1, preferably by means of a pair of ears 11 which are similar to the ears 2, and which project from the forward face of the base plate above the ears 2. The lower end of the triggermember 10 is urged away from the base plate bymeans of a spring 12, whereby the lower end vface of the member 10 normally is disposed within the path of the lug 9 to maintain the arms 3 in theirupright position. The upper end of the trigger member 10 is disposed adjacent a thermo element 13 carriedby the base platel, such thermo element acting when expanded by heat to force the lower end of the trigger member 10 inwardly against the action of the spring 12 to release the lug 9, thereby permitting the arms 3 to fall by gravity about their pivotal connection with the When the arms 3 fall to the position shown in dotted lines in Figures 2 and 3, the grenade 4 is carried therewith and forcibly dashed against a rigid obstruction l l, whereby the grenade is broken and the contents thereof spilled for the purpose of extinguishing the fire which caused the operation of the thermo element 13. Prefi erably the obstruction 14 forms a part of a rigid strap 15 which secured to the base plate 1, and which has an arcuate upper end portion 16 projecting forwardly and upwardly from the base plate 1 in spaced relation to the housing 8. Se-- cured to the inner face of the arcuate portion 16 a similarly shaped shield 17 of resilient metal which extends to a point in proximity to the trigger member 10, and is disposed adjacent the path of travel or" the housing 8 during the move- 1 ment of the arms 3.

Carried by the base plate 1 is a housing 18 for an escapeinent mechanism indicated fragmentarily at 19, and which may be of any well known construction. The escapement mechanism normally is latched against movement and is adapta bell 21. The means employed for latching the escapement mechanism is a lug 22 projecting from a leaf spring 23 and normally maintained thereby within the path of movement of a vibrating arm 24 secured to the same pivot member 25 that supports the hammer 20. The leaf spring 23 is secured within the housing 18 and projects therefrom into the path of movement of one of the arms 3'wh'ereby the spring is depressed when the arm 3 falls about its pivot, thereby moving the lug 22 out of its latching positionwith re spect to the arm 24 and permitting the escapement to operate in the usual manner which causes the sounding of an alarm by the bell21i The escapement mechanism per se forms no part of the present invention and maybe either ofthe well known mechanical or electrical types.

While the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated and described is to be considered asa preferred example of the same, it is to be understood that such departures from the" arrangement shown may bemade'as fall-'vvithin the scope of theappended'claimsf -I claim:

1. A fire extinguisher comprising, a pair of grenade supporting members pivotally mounted asa unit'and having a normal tendency to'move in one-direction, one" of said'meinbers further being pivotedfor movementtoward' and from the other member, tension means'urging the said one"*meinber'toward the other member for grippinga 'grenade betwe'en the members, a trigger releasably latching said members against movement," a thermo element for operating said trigger to releasesaid' members, and a rigid obstruction'withinthepathof movement of said members.

2. A f re extinguisher comprising, a pivoted grenade"supporting member having a normal tendency to move in one direction about its pivot, a trigger releasably latching said member against such movement, a thermo element for operating said' trigger to release said supporting 'member, a=rigid obstruction within the path'of movement of said supporting member, an escapement mechanism-operated bell, and means normally latchingsaid escapement mechanism against operation, said means being released by the movement of 'saidmember about its pivot.

A fire extinguisher comprising, a pivotally mounted member adapted to support a grenade and having a normal tendency to moveinone direction, a trigger releasably latching said memed to operate a hammer 20 when released to ring ber against such movement, a rigid obstruction within the path of movement of the grenade supported by said member, an escapement mechanism operated bell, means normally latching said escapement mechanism against operation and having a part thereof projecting into the path of movement of said grenade supporting member, and a thermo element for operating said trigger to release said member, said member op erating during its movement to dash the grenade supported therebyagainst said obstruction and to move said part projecting into its path for releasing the latching means for said escapement mechanism. '41 A'fire extinguisher comprising, a pair of grenade supporting members pivotally mounted 'as'a "unit and having a normal tendency to move in one direction; one of said members further being pivoted for movement toward and from the other member, a coil spring urging the said one member toward the other member for gripping a"greiiade' betweenthe members, a housing encircling said spring, an arcuate shield adjacent said housing, "a trigger normally latching said members against movement, a thermo element for operating said trigger to release said supporting members, and a rigid obstruction within the path of movement" of said supporting members. 5. A fire extinguisher comprising, a pair of grenade supporting members having a normal tendency to'inove in one direction, one of said members being pivoted for movement toward and from the other member, tension means urging thesaid'one member toward the other member for gripping a' 'grenade between the members, means normally holding the members against movmenrm the said one direction and operating when subjected 'toexcessive'heat to release the members',a'nd an obstruction Within the path o'fmov'einent of saidmem'bers.

61"Afire extinguisher comprising, a grenade supporting'mernber having a normal tendency to move'in one'dire'ction, means normally holding said'member againstsuch movement and operating when subjected to excessive heat to release the memberf'an"obstruction within'the path of movement of said member, a normally inactive alarm device, and means having a 'part thereof projecting"into the path of movement of said member for rendering the alarm device active utdnmtv'emem of said member into contact with said projecting part.

, HARRY LEE PARRISH. 

